A T’Souke Nation art installation was unveiled at Sooke Potholes this week, on the eve of National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The piece by T’Sou-ke artist Shelley Davies features a bear with a salmon design on its stomach, symbolizing the connection between the community and the natural environment.
“The salmon feeds us all,” Davies said. “I hope when people see this installation, they feel a stronger connection to the river.” She said it’s vital to keep the Sooke River healthy so the salmon keep coming back.
“The Sooke River is truly a sacred place, and I am humbled to have this design there.”
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said the piece’s unveiling in the week of National Indigenous Peoples Day — celebrated today — was “good timing,” adding the district is deeply thankful to Davies and the T’Sou-ke Nation for “this profound contribution to our community.”
Tait noted that another artwork, a mural by Davies and Diego Navarez, will be ready for viewing soon on a building in downtown Sooke.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to celebrate the “incredible diversity” of Indigenous cultures on Vancouver Island and across the country — and to look back to when that sort of acknowledgement wasn’t always possible, said Ry Moran, the University of Victoria’s first associate librarian for reconciliation and a former member of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“There were actually decades worth of effort to try to prevent days like this from occurring, and prevent people from singing their songs and doing their dances.
“We remember that was all illegal for a very long period of time.”
It’s a day not only to celebrate “but also to reflect on the work still at hand as we keep working towards reconciliation,” Moran said.
The Victoria-born member of the Red River Métis did a presentation in word and song Wednesday at Oak Bay United Church on the ongoing impact of the residential-school system.
He is emceeing today’s National Indigenous Peoples Day activities at Royal Roads University, as well as hosting an evening event with singer-songwriter Art Napoleon — a former chief of the Salteau First Nation known for his work on the APTN show Moosemeat and Marmalade. The free show is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, where the multi-instrumentalist Moran is a guest artist in residence.
Moran said gatherings like the one at Royal Roads, where his daughter will be part of a dance performance, “are great times for youth and young people to show who they are.”
The 10 a.m.-3 p.m. celebration starts with a welcoming ceremony on the shore of Esquimalt Lagoon and traditional canoe landings led by Lekwungen elder Butch Dick.
Entertainment on the main stage begins at 11:45 a.m., followed by the Swutth’tus (Max Henry Sr.) Canoe Challenge at 12:30 p.m. featuring 16 teams.
There will be traditional plant walks on Charlie’s Trail along Colwood Creek with Cowichan elder Kenneth Elliott, beginning at noon.
Moran said many people worked hard to bring about National Indigenous Peoples Day, which has its roots in 1982, when the National Indian Brotherhood — now the Assembly of First Nations — championed the creation of National Aboriginal Solidarity Day.
The name National First Peoples Day emerged in 1995 through the efforts of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. It was renamed National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2017.
Having the day partway through June reflects the fact that many Indigenous communities already commemorate their culture and heritage around that time, due to the importance of the summer solstice and the longest day of the year, according to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
National Indigenous Peoples Day events
University of Victoria, Camosun College and Royal Roads University National Indigenous Peoples Month and Day.With Canoe Landing Protocol Practice and Challenge, Indigenous artists and vendors fair, live performances, fieldgames, guided nature walks, food trucks and much more. Friday, June 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Royal Roads Universitycampus, 2005 Sooke Rd., Colwood. Everyone welcome, details at royalroads.ca/nipd.
Indigenous Art and Storytelling hosted by Arts and Culture Colwood Society. June 19-21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. andJune 22 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Arts and Culture Centre, 170 Goldfinch Rd., Colwood. More information atartsandculturecolwood.ca/upcomingevents.
National Indigenous People’s Day with the Quadra Village Community Centre. We are looking forward to sharing,honouring and celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day on Friday, June 21, 4-8 p.m. outside of the centre at 901Kings Rd., Victoria. Join us for free bannock and strawberries, the Bannock Room food truck, and an Indigenous Market.Westwind Intertribal Big Drum will be performing. Bring your own chair! More at qvcc.ca/indigenouspeoplesday.
National Indigenous Peoples Day at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Open house on Friday, June 21, featuringnew work by Chris Paul. In continued celebration of National Indigenous History Month at the Gallery, Coast Salish artistVirgil Sampson will share teachings on drum practices as well as traditional and contemporary techniques in the sphereof drum making on Thursday, June 27, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Admission is always free for Indigenous People. 1040 Moss St.,Victoria. More at aggv.ca.
Cowichan Tribes National Indigenous People’s Day. Featuring cultural activities, local vendors, food, door prizes andmore. Friday, June 21, starting at 11 a.m. at Si’em Lelum Gymnasium, 5574 River Rd., Duncan. More information atfacebook.com/cowichan.tribes.
An Evening with Art Napoleon, hosted by Ry Moran. In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, join us for anevening of music and discussion with singer-songwriter Art Napoleon. As Art prepares to return to his home territories,the evening will be part conversation, part performance and part farewell. Hosted by Victoria Conservatory Guest Artistin Residence Ry Moran, Art will be sharing a number of his songs alongside reflections on his musical journey. Friday,June 21, 6:30 p.m. at the Robin and Winifred Wood Recital Hall, 900 Johnson St., Victoria. Tickets are free.
F1RST: A Celebration of Indigenous Film, presented by the Victoria Film Festival and the Victoria Native FriendshipCentre. There will be six movies from Indigenous creators presented from June 21 to 23 at the Vic Theatre, 808Douglas St., Victoria. For show lineup and more information, go to wsanec.com/victoria-film-festival.
Free Swim on National Indigenous Peoples Day at the Panorama Recreation Centre. Friday, June 21, 7-8 p.m. at1885 Forest Park Dr., North Saanich. Contact 250-656-7271 or go to crd.bc.ca/events.
Know of another event? Send us the details at [email protected]. Please put the words “Indigenous PeoplesDay” in the subject line.
